Microsoft Events hosts a technical session on Azure HorizonDB, offering a deep dive into its cloud-native PostgreSQL architecture, performance optimizations, high-availability features, and built-in AI innovations.

Azure HorizonDB: Deep Dive into a New Enterprise-Scale PostgreSQL

Speakers: Adam Prout, Denzil Ribeiro
Event: Microsoft Ignite 2025 (BRK127)
Level: Advanced (300)

Overview

Azure HorizonDB is Microsoft’s new fully managed PostgreSQL database, engineered for mission-critical workloads on Azure. This session explores how HorizonDB blends open-source Postgres with advanced Azure infrastructure, enabling:

  • Enhanced scalability without performance tradeoffs
  • Ultra-fast failover and always-on read replicas
  • Architectural innovations for reliability and high throughput

Key Technical Highlights

Architecture and Engineering

  • Built on PostgreSQL: Leverages open-source Postgres for compatibility and extensibility
  • Custom WAL Storage: Technical details on Write Ahead Log (WAL) storage components for data durability and performance
  • Rust-based Runtime (Kimo Geo): Open-sourced asynchronous runtime designed for efficient parallel operations and improved resource management

High Availability and Elasticity

  • Fast Failover Mechanisms: Innovations enabling rapid recovery and minimizing downtime
  • Read Replicas: Architected for constant availability and scalability for read-heavy workloads
  • Elastic Scaling: Supports up to 100TB with automated resizing to meet enterprise demands

Performance & Innovation

  • Small Commit Workload Optimization: Demonstrations show improved performance for high-frequency transactions
  • Comparison with Standard Postgres HA: Outlines limitations in traditional setups versus HorizonDB’s approach

Advanced AI Features

  • Integrated AI features to power next-generation applications
  • Development of KNN (K-Nearest Neighbor) vector indexing for advanced search capabilities and AI workloads

Takeaways

  • HorizonDB combines familiar PostgreSQL workflows with enterprise-grade Azure reliability and performance
  • Advanced engineering, including a custom Rust runtime and optimized WAL storage
  • Scaling, failover, and AI-powered indexing unlock new application scenarios on Azure

Further Resources

Session hashtags: #MSIgnite #InnovatewithAzureAIappsandagents